The Storm

I wrote a poem a few years ago. I thought I would post it tonight as I think of a friend who is going through a wicked storm of her own.

The Storm

I see the storm clouds gathering,

I hide and cringe in fear.

I’ve seen clouds like these before,

Oh, Lord, be ever near.

I’ve felt how hard the winds can blow.

I was almost lost at sea.

My sails so torn and powerless.

Oh, Lord stay close to me.

I am afraid of this new storm

And the damage it can do.

What will be left of my heart in the end?

Oh, Lord, I draw close to You.

You are my rock, my strong tower.

In You I have no fear.

You are my strength from day to day.

You will be ever near.

“Fear thou not,” I hear You say

Out on the stormy sea.

You will uphold me by Your Right Hand.

You will stay close to me.

You are the Rock where I can hide

Until the storm is through

I will find shelter under Your wings

I will draw close to You.

Karen Woodward © 2005

I Have Been Held

This year did not go how I had planned.
This year did not go how I had hoped.
The enemy stepped in and wreaked havoc in many areas of my life.
The wounds are deep and some will leave scars.
But through all the trials, I have been held by Almighty God.
The God of all comfort has held me in His hands.
He has hid me in the cleft of the Rock.
He has gently reminded me that trials lead to patience.
He whispered to me through His Word, reminding me of all His precious promises.
Reminders that He is always with me.
That His ways are not my ways.
That He knows the way that I take
And these difficult times will draw me closer to Him.
I am blessed with the knowledge that not only does He comfort me in times of tribulation
But He gives me hope for the future
In that I may forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before,
And when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Be Strong in the Lord

Last night at church our pastor talked about being strong in the Lord. He mentioned what should have been obvious to me but had somehow escaped lodging in my long term memory bank."Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." This verse found in Ephesians 6:10 is a command. It is not an option, not something we hope to achieve someday. We are to be strong in the Lord - right now.

There have been many times in my life where I have been strong. However, these past two years I feel as if I have been struggling; stumbling upon confusion, uncertainty, even doubt. Too often, I have tried to fight my battles with my own, inadequate strength. Forgetting, or choosing not to remember, that God is the One who will fight the battles for me.

Thank you, Pastor, for the reminder. Thank you, Lord, for your mercies that are new every morning. Thank you that I can pick up the sword once again and face the enemy with Your strength, not mine.